RAMALLAH, Thursday, July 11, 2019 (WAFA) - A global coalition led by the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) launched today a campaign against hate speech and its use to shut down space to advocate for Palestinian freedom and rights around the world, according to a press release.
The campaign brings together young Palestinian and Jewish voices that stand against hate speech in all its forms; support the values of freedom, justice, equality and rights for all; and commit to upholding freedom of speech and the right to hold those committing injustice accountable, said the joint PIPD, JVP press release.
Through a petition, the campaign pledges to these rights and values, and calls on all governments to oppose any legal and political measures that infringe on them. The petition has gathered more than 11,000 signatures from around the world in ten days.
The shrinking space on Palestine has reached critical levels. Public smear campaigns that use fear, defamation and intimidation are regularly targeting individuals and organizations. Now there is an increasing trend of legislative initiatives to criminalize legitimate criticism of Israel and equate it with anti-Semitism, said the organizers.
The efforts instrumentalizing hate speech to shut down debate and accountability are not isolated. This has taken place in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom,, Germany, France, Switzerland and elsewhere around the world. Those behind these efforts are striking at the heart of democratic values and are often associated with politics that promote fear, violence, racism, supremacy and hate, they said.
“As Palestinians, our space to advocate for our freedom and rights is shrinking at home and abroad,” said Salem Barahmeh, Executive Director of the PIPD. He added, “The campaign seeks to reclaim our collective space from those who don’t share our values to build a future where we can be free and enjoy our rights in dignity.”
Rebecca Vilkomerson, Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace, said, “As right wing attacks on our civil liberties continue to increase, it is more vital than ever that we stand together. We call out these bad-faith campaigns leveled at defenders of Palestinian human rights for what they are – absolute bigotry – and we stand together in solidarity against this and all forms of hate speech.”
The campaign is joined by a diverse global coalition that includes the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in the UK, the Association France Palestine Solidarité, the United Methodists for Kairos Response and the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society.
M.K.
